Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Death as a journey? Or death as a carnival? Death as a dance party? Death as a state of being? Whatever it is - strange percussion leads the way and no sound is left untouched. Layers of texture - normally used to elevate - here pulls you down into the muck. We're all just dirt in the ground. Knowing that - maybe get of a shake something. All the tricks accumulated over 20 years really blossom here. Singular.
more (good) weird shit.
I'm sorry but I hateee him
Didnt listen to all of it, just the first half. Liked the blues elements but not a fan of his voice to be honest
As I've stated many times before, if an album makes it onto the list instead of one of your favorites, maybe your listening choices are shite. This is a prime example of that theory. Now I'm a Tom Waits fan, but of the 5 albums he has on the list (this is my 4th) my 2 favorite albums of his being Closing Time and The Heart of Saturday Night, are nowhere to be found. So, maybe my listening choices are shite. But anyway, I like this album because I like Tom Waits and I enjoy his schtick, though all 5 book choices come across as drunken sailor/skid row bum mumblings like Mickey Rourke in Barfly quipping things like 'I don't hate people, I just seem to feel better when they're not around', they're all still very good. But anyways again, go listen to Closing Time and join me in a rousing chorus of 'what the fuck Dimery' and wonder how did he pick this over that. Or maybe I'm just salty cause my listening choices are shite.
I need to use this review to remind me to never look at the damn reviews before listening to an album yourself; they're some complete tools on this site leaving reviews that just say the rudest things about the artists and I can't stand it. ******************************************************************************* Right from the start, the album doesn't disappoint with an album title like "Bone Machine" to playing with what sounds literally like bones, though the jury is still out on whether I liked it or not. "Dirt in the Ground" is a depressing jazz backed track that Waits' gravelly vocals fits perfectly. Again, I'm not entirely sure if I enjoyed it, but I appreciate that he trying to musically represent that nihilistic feeling. If there were any tracks I genuinely did enjoy even a bit, they were: "Who Are You This Time", "Jesus Gonna Be Here", "Goin' Out West", "Black Wings", "Whistle Down The Wind" and "That Feel"... the theme here seems to be when he's doing something more traditionally true of music than the experimental stuff. ...Although it might be premature to make a conclusion by "Such a Scream" coming in at track 3, but this album is giving me the same feeling as Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds' album did: pure frustration, as it is 'almost there' for something for me to enjoy. That being said, it's weird experimental nature and Waits' voice makes me think he is like a 'David Lynch of music', not always understood, but true to doing something different to broaden the horizons of what music can be as an art form.
It was fine, I probably wont listen to any of it ever again though
Sonically very cool, love the percussion. But musically does nothing for me and found it rather boring.
That was……really strange. But plus 1 because it didn’t make me angry (like so much of this list does).
Dit was echt anus. 1,5
I knew nothing about Tom Waits’ music going in to this and was completely sucked in by the album. The world he built here is so complete. The storytelling, the sound engineering, the clanging drums, his vocal stylings - it all took me to post-apocalyptic New Orleans. It’s so deeply strange and macabre but was made with too much intentionality to ever verge into childish trauma porn. Then, between all the doom and gloom, he sneaks in moments of tenderness and vulnerability like in Who Are You, A Little Rain and That Feel. I can confidently say I’ve never heard anything like this before.
While listening to this today, I had a revelation. Some of these albums we must listen to are absolute dog shit so we can really appreciate good ones. This was absolute dog shit.
I somehow didn't hate this, but it wasn't an enjoyable listen either.
Some of these songs aren't bad. Murder In The Red Barn for example. It's fine on its own, but after listening to practically the same song 10 times in a row it gets boring. The vocals aren't that bad and the instrumentals are very limited, but I think it works. At least it can work and in some songs is does. But as a whole, it just makes for a forgettable album. I like the cover though.
Raspy
Raspy, gravelly voice. Classic Waits
2.1 Second Tom Waits album in 11 days, yikes. Saving grace is that this was a lot better than Swordfish trombone, but that isn't saying much. There's actually some interesting stuff on here, but it gets ruined by too many songs just being shite and unnecessary. I think a refined approach, stripped down songs, less intensity on the accented vocals, would make it a palatable album. But at the end of the day that's not what he's going for. I respect that, but I still think it's shite because of it.
Tom Waits is a really intriguing artist. I have to be in the right mood to enjoy him and I was not in that mood today. However, I like the tone of this album so it was kinda cool I suppose. I probably won't listen again.
I’ve heard this before and I own it. It’s been a year or two since I’ve listened to Tom Waits. This album and a lot of Tom Waits albums can best be described as alternating between Cookie Monster singing circus music and Rowlf the Dog playing a soulful piano ballad about circus people. I mean that as a compliment, though some folks will find that unappealing. Even a hauntingly beautiful song like A Little Rain includes a line about german dwarves, which is expected and would not be welcome from any other singer. Also I Don’t Want To Grow Up sounds like it was written to be covered by the Ramones, which they did (though this version is better). The haunting ballads are spaced out perfectly with the yammering hobo songs and it ends on a beautiful note.
From the first cracked percussion hit, Bone Machine feels like being dropped into a rusted scrapyard during the apocalypse. It’s chaotic, tuneless, and full of anguished groans masquerading as songs. The clattering industrial rhythms and Waits’ sandpaper vocals might be “art” to some, but for me it was just punishing. I managed four tracks before tapping out completely. Awful album — more ordeal than experience.
This is the sound of someone reading the Bible but only the parts about sin, death, and the darkness. I like it. To appreciate it, I encourage giving your soul some space to take it in and paying attention to the lyrics. Enter its world. It’s like great literature.
First, it was Rain Dogs. I thought, nothing could touch Swordfish Trombone. Rain Dogs proved to be every bit as compelling. Now Bone Machine comes along, and I am even more intrigued. Tom is easy to chalk up as a genius because of all the good press, but his albums support it. Bone Machine is no different. Every songs feels like a tensely structured dramatic film that demands your attention but you're afraid to keep watching. Glad I did. This is excellent craftsmanship and storytelling.
Tom Waits is always a weird one for me. I love the grit in his voice, but sometimes he just sings...weird. I don't know how to explain it. There's songs where it sounds like he is actually singing authentically, and there are others where it sounds like he's "putting on" a voice to fit a theme. This, in the case of this album, often does not work to its benefit. However, there are a fair amount of songs where Tom does use his actual voice, and it sounds nice. I like the "working in a coal mine" or "hanging out in a tavern" vibe. It started out pretty bad, but it fortunately did improve a bit with time. Still, one of the weaker albums from Waits' discography, in my opinion.
I only liked "The Earth Died Screaming", the rest it was unbearable to me.
it truly baffles me how many of this man's albums are on this fucking list Earth Died Screaming - 4/5 Dirt in the Ground - 5/5 Such a Scream - 4/5 All Stripped Down - 3/5 Who Are You - 5/5 The Ocean Doesn't Want Me - 3/5 Jesus Gonna Be Here - 4/5 A Little Rain - 3/5 In the Colosseum - 4/5 Goin' Out West - 5/5 Murder in the Red Barn - 4/5 Black Wings - 5/5 Whistle Down the Wind - 3/5 I Don't Wanna Grow Up - 4/5 Let Me Get Up on It - 3/5 That Feel - 4/5 Average score: 3.9/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i think i have a love/hate relationship with Tom Waits's music. sometimes i genuinely dig what he's throwin down, other times i think his music is "so bad it's good." hell, sometimes i find it just plain bad (particularly Nighthawks At The Diner). however, as someone who hasn't really been exposed to his music prior to starting this 1001 album journey (if you don't count his singing in the movie Robots), i still can't help but admire how Tom Waits has kept me on my toes. i never know what the hell i'm in for until i press play now, all that growling on the 1st track had me ready to write this off as another bad album. but after giving it one more listen? it ain't half bad. in fact, compared to the other albums i've heard from him, i think this is easily his best album. color me shocked
This is probably the most Tom Waits-y album of Waits' later period. Lots of marimbas and xylophones that evoke the bones of the album title are the perfect accompaniment to Waits' dark and gothic lyrics. Some moments on the album are almost industrial in nature, like on "Goin' Out West", although never quite commit entirely. Most of the album, though, stays in this very specific Gothic Blues (is that a thing?) style, specially on the deliciously grim "Dirt in the Ground". There are even more pastoral tracks like "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" which hint at Waits' masterful later album Mule Variations from 1999. Definitely not my favorite in his discography, but it's still well worth a listen, and it sees Waits expanding his style after the revolutionary "Frank" trilogy from the 80's. Key tracks: Earth Died Screaming Dirt in the Ground A Little Rain In the Colosseum Goin' Out West I Don't Wanna Grow Up
Cool album! Amazing voice, lyrics, music!
The earth died screaming - 4 Dirt in the ground - 3 Such a scream - 2 All stripped down - 3 Who are you - 4 The ocean doesn't want me - 3 Jesus gonna be here - 5 A little rain - 4 In the colosseum - 3 Goin' out west - 4 Murder in the red barn - 3 Black wings - 4 Whistle down the wind - 3 I don't wanna grow up - 3 Let me get up on it - 2 That feel - 4
Hot garbage.
What a great album! I don’t think I have ever listened to a Tom Waits album before, but I loved this one. So gritty and raw, and so much variety - just a bloody good album.
One word. Ass.
4.5/10
Man whats the deal with this guy. Perfect nightmare fuel. Why is he on here so much. Aany album should not be this hard to listen to. Who even knows what the scenario would be to listen to this. One star for respect for making something so terrible. And one star because i cant give something zero.
Some of the music itself was interesting, but the vocals were a bridge too far.
This sounds like an SNL skit. But not even a good one with songs by Lonely Island. It’s a good thing there are alternatives to this Alternative music cause this plain and simply sucked.
There’s only one Tom Waits and that’s probably a good thing. His voice is a sharp, bladed weapon, rasped and knicked over time - a knife that can be used to either reveal or destroy any word. Now, as someone who has stabbed a few folks in my day, I can tell you that how you wield a knife makes a big difference. When you hold the blade exposed and at length, it becomes a defensive weapon, used to keep people away. In this way, Waits’ voice is least persuasive, like on The Earth Died Screaming. You anticipate the jagged edge of his rasp in these apocalyptic songs and it keeps you at bay. In contrast, using the knife as a weapon of intimacy and employing the element of surprise at close range is a far more effective strategy. Waits’ voice is most dangerous where it is least expected, like if it rings with humor or sentiment when given the chance. Unfortunately, this album doesn’t afford him many of those opportunities. Due to that simple element, I much prefer Small Change or Rain Dogs to this album.
Did Tom Waits really kick this off falsetto?? Not a great choice, but I think I liked most of this album anyway. Very dark and ominous. The sounds from his conundrum added a sense of confusion that pulled you deeper into Tom's mood. There were some pretty rough lows on the album, but overall I really did enjoy the overall experience.
Licorice Pizza two nights ago... IS THAT REX DAMN BLAU?
We get it you smoke a lot of cigarettes
I've tried to listen to some Tom Waits before and really couldn't get into it, I really enjoyed this though!
This is odd.
This is my first Tom Waits album and I am not very impressed. It is not good, the deliveries are annoying and it is too gritty, too bad vibes on purpose and not a fun or interesting album overall. I got "in the collesseum" for a week in my head and it was like torture. 2/5
bit better than the others, but still hard to digest
Odd but good voice
“Excuse me while I sharpen my nails!” “The riptide is raging and the lifeguard’s away, but the ocean doesn’t want me today..but the ocean doesn’t want me today. The ocean doesn’t want me today.” You don’t normally hear lyrics like this, and there is nothing “normal” about the music of Tom Waits. His albums don’t contain pretty little pop songs, but the ugly pictures of life he paints with his music and gravelly voice are somehow…beautiful.
This is definitely interesting and there are parts of the chaos that I actually really enjoy, and then there are parts where I just get annoyed.
I fully acknowledge that Waits is a marmite artist but I love marmite!
Just not for me.
I was familiar with Tom Waits, though not with this album. “Bone Machine” has changed my view of him—and not exactly for the better. In the first four songs, he manages to completely hide his undeniable talents as a singer. After that, it sounds as if Tom Waits is singing in the kitchen and accompanying himself with the sounds of whatever objects are lying around. It actually only gets a little better when he finds the piano in the next room—“A Little Rain,” for example, is a real song, and not a bad one. Overall, I view “Bone Machine” as an experiment, and it’s simply in the nature of experiments to sometimes fail. However, on this list, I would expect only the successful ones.
There might be a good song or two in there somewhere, but Tom does not make it easy.
1.5
Tom Waits? Yeah, I sure hope he does. Because I'd rather have him wait than begin suffering through any more of this noise. After four previous albums from the guy (with an average rating of 2.25 stars) things are looking pretty bleak. And yet, looking at the pool of existing reviews here, people seem to think he's being authentic (fine). And then take the leap to equate that authenticity with good music (not fine). I can drink eight shots of Scotch and mumble about my romantic failings into an old greasy microphone, but nobody tells me I'm a good musician. As another reviewer aptly observed, "Tom Waits is always part mediocre folk and part garbage noises with this weird muppet sounding dude trying to sing over it, but failing because he misread the label and started swallowing chewing tobacco." And yeah, let's be honest. This is definitive garbage. "4′33" by John Cage would bring me more pleasure. Does anyone actually listen to The Earth Died Screaming, hear the messy percussion and absolutely horrific vocal delivery that puts Satan's finest demons to shame, and think, "hmm, this might be okay"? I doubt it. Dirt In The Ground is better, in virtue of having a decent bluesy melody buried somewhere within the vocal part, but again it's performed so badly that I can't take any of it seriously. The first track that I could see myself coming back to is Who Are You This Time. It has a gorgeous acoustic guitar line that really shines once you've tuned out Waits's voice. (Later on the album, Black Wings warrants a similar review. A cool, mysterious instrumental part with vocals straight from hell.) Jesus Gonna Be Here warrants a shoutout for being just completely devoid of substance. Except for whatever substance Tommyboy coughed up at the end. Then we have a slew of unlistenable noise ("in the colosseum / in the colosseum / in the colosseum / (ad inf.)" before we arrive at another passable tune: Goin' Out West. Reminiscent of something from the Doors' L.A. Woman. 1/5 Key tracks: Who Are You This Time, Goin' Out West, Black Wings
Album #41, Tom Waits, Bone Machine ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love Tom Waits’ philosophy on sound. I remember reading an interview years ago where he talked about how he knows he could push a button on a computer or a mixing desk to get a certain reverb or percussive sound, but instead he prefers to go out and actually find that sound himself, track it down and capture it. This album feels like that philosophy in action. Some of the sounds on this record are just crazy. It’s so raw. It’s stripped back in places but layered in others, and some of the percussion genuinely sounds like he’s kicking and battering furniture around a room. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what he was doing. It’s a great record and I’m very fond of it. It contains three of my favourite Tom Waits songs: Earth Died Screaming, Jesus Gonna Be Here, and Goin’ Out West. It’s a heavy, nasty album in a lot of ways, but it also has some really tender moments. It almost feels like it’s caught between two moods. There are very delicate songs like A Little Rain, but the album overall is dark and pretty bleak in places. That’s fairly typical of Tom Waits though. He rarely sticks to just one style across a whole album. There’s a raw edge to everything here. His vocals are incredible throughout, which is nothing new. It’s one of the most unique voices in popular music. I love the album and I think it’s one of the best records of the 90s. It’s not quite a five for me though. There are a few weaker moments that drag a little, especially In the Colosseum. I’m not a huge fan of that carnival or festival kind of sound. Two other things stand out. I genuinely wept at the final verse of A Little Rain. It’s one of the saddest verses I’ve ever heard in any song. Absolutely devastating. And the introduction of that chainsaw guitar on Goin’ Out West is one of my favourite moments in music. That tone is incredible. One of the best guitar sounds ever recorded. I’d fight any guitar snob who says otherwise. Great album. Not five stars, but a very, very strong four.
Tom mate clear your throat, cough it out. I don’t get this guy and if that makes me uneducated or unsophisticated or someone with bad taste then so be it, I can’t listen to this without wanting to remove my ears
this shit is ass
5 Tom Waits albums?! Is this a fucking joke? I had to skip through a couple songs. I'm not trying to ruin my day... or week.
#880. I see that, at the time of this writing, that this album has an average score of 2.84, and I find that odd. Not because I think it should be higher, but because it is the lowest rated of all his albums on here, and if anything I think it's the best of the five, and all the other shit heaps should be rated even lower. This was really the only one of his that I found even slightly tolerable really, but I think maybe it's because I listened to it as if it was Zachariah Rigsby from Seven Psycopaths singing. Because Tom Waits is a real person, so if he's out there making music this terrible, then shame on him. But listening to it as if it's a serial killing psychopath singing, it fits much better. I noticed that my ratings of Mr. Waits' albums on here somewhat align with the five stages of grief. First, I was in denial that Heartattack and Vine could exist in the first place and be so terrible. Then, with Rain Dogs, I was angry that more than one of his albums were on this list, and angry at myself for listening to it. And then the bargaining step with Swordfishtrombones, where I gave it 2 stars, trying to convince myself more than anyone else that I was still having a good time. Nighthawks At The Diner filled me with depression and nearly caused me to rage quit this entire list altogether. And now here we are at Bone Machine, where I've come to accept that there's just a lot of shitty music out there, and there's nothing I can do about it. 2/5: fuck it, it's not like any of this matters anyway.
Just not for me.
Not for me
His music is so different and his voice so unique along with a random style which you cant tell what it is. Amazing
Unfortunately these (mostly) fine songs are delivered by Tom Waits doing his haunted-junkyard-gargoyle routine. I kept mentally recasting the vocals: “Who Are You” with the smoky warmth of Maggie Rogers, “A Little Rain” sweetened up by Vince Gill, and “Whistle Down the Wind” with the proper raspy ache of Ryan Bingham. Can we get a tribute album or does he need to die first?
There are people who love tom waits growling and his lyrical artistry. I cannot admit to being one of them. This kind of delivery wears thin after a while. Musically there is a lot going on though.
If you want to listen to shit than listen to this
Roughly ten years after Swordfishtrombones, Waits is wailing in the Bone Machine. Still troubling the songs with junk percussion and clap-trap instrumentation. There's continuity here even as the record is much closer to death in a number of ways: from that oft broken-down entropic sound to lyrics about no longer being around. And, I don't know how you can have an album where Keith Richards appears on a track and still legitimately win the Grammy for best "alternative music album" or whatever — I find it hard to believe that Waits is somehow an outsider at the time in terms that really matter like access to resources, etc. but it certainly sounds like he's coloring outside the lines of song structure with the crayons of instrumentation. And yet, as said at the outset, you can sit this right next to his earlier work and the elements are all there: spoken word bits, some musical howlin' supported by rhythm and atmospherics, plenty of character studies and first person exploration of failures, heartache, and resistance. Maybe I've unfairly pulled Waits out of the timeline having so many of his recordings on hand; it's possible I no longer hear a record like this with surprised ears. Overall, it's a little longer than I'd like but still a good way to fix a certain craving for Waits' music and signature voice. Nearly 5 stars today, could be 5 tomorrow.
This guy loves a clanky song about the ground/dirt. His style is unique and sometimes enjoyable, but a whole album of it is too much in one go
I am so glad that I have finally finished all these guys' albums and won't ever have to listen to him again. I didn't enjoy any of them; his gruff voice sounds like someone who smokes 60 a day. I think this one is the weirdest and worst of all his albums.
I just think Tom Waits is brilliant.
I can't put my finger on it, but feels like I've heard it done before, but better.
I’d forgotten how much I love this album. There’s nothing quite like a Tom Waits album that’s simultaneously experimental and accessible. An amazing raconteur and storyteller.
I can understand people not liking Tom Waits and the way he sings. But here's the thing. I had Ute Lemper's Punishing Kiss yesterday. And it was clear that Ms. Lemper had a tremendous voice. But that didn't move me. It was, to me, one note and boring which is really the worst thing an album can be. Tom Waits on the other hand is very very interesting. And that's what makes it better to me.
I find it interesting especially after listening to "Trout Mask Replica". At the same time the sound gets really old by the end, as I start getting irritated. I'll give it 3 stars, but it is barely.
2,1/5
Hated it
This man can't sing
🥱
This didn't click with me as much as Heartattack and Vine. It's depressing and the strange percussion parts didn't really come together into enjoyable rhythms. Some songs have real Captain Beefheart vibes too, but without being as interesting.
Brash, gritty, and gnarly. I see the vision but it was incredibly difficult to get through.
2/5
This one hits with all the trademark grit and clatter, but the piercing, metallic edge of his voice makes it tough to settle into. The songwriting is vivid and the percussion experiments are cool in concept, yet the delivery pushes past my comfort zone.
Não dá Não, sem paciência para isso
Some beautiful, haunting songs among many songs that I pray I never hear again.
Raw blues rock is a yes from me
I keep seeing this album cover pop up everywhere, and has high ratings on music rating sites. Was curious to see what was up. I didn't know the Ramones' I Don't Wanna Grow Up was a cover from this album. I can see why music critics and people on RYM, AOTY like this. This is giving Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan, except this came out 5 years earlier
I can listen to some Tom Waits. Swordfishtrombones was ok, in parts. This isn't Swordfishtrombones.
Horrible.
Что-то прикольное нашёл, но половина каша звуков
Junkyard Symphony
Remek djelo mogu ga još stotine puta čut
Greyið maðurinn hefur ekki fallegustu söngröddina. Byrjunarlögin fengu mig til að ímynda mér hunda/katta hljómsveit þar sem þau eru að rokka feitt en svo við mannfólkið heyrum bara gól og glamur. Sum lögin inn á milli ágæt
Byrjaði illa. Um miðbikið fannst mér þetta samt verða fínt. Endaði svo illa líka. Langar ekki alveg að gefa tvær stjörnur, en þetta er 2,5 námundað upp í þrjár.
congratulations, you get the honor of being 1/3 albums I literally couldn't get all the way through so far! garbage; -100/10
nahhh whats that voice
3.5/5
I just don't like it.
Blimey. What was that? Just a cacophony of noise. Didn’t he write ‘Downtown Train?’ What went wrong??!
I like a couple/a few tracks, but the rest was weird or just not good.
Ok - “I don’t wanna grow up” just made me cry. And I don’t mean it made me tear up a little bit I mean, full on bawling. Maybe I was having a bad day (I was), or maybe it just hit me funny, but - goddamnit Tom Waits. You absolutely got me right in the heart. So I wept. That and “a little rain” are just devastating. Wasn’t expecting that. “Going out west” also totally rules. And “in the colosseum.” Ok- most of this album is great. It’s also very primitive, and challenging, and dissonant- but it really works with these songs. FOUR STARS
Tom Waits is a visionary looking through broken and filthy welding goggles. He does have fantastic, wonderful, and genius level songs but they are very few and far between. Unfortunately this album didn’t contain any in my opinion.
Unsettling. Did not finish.
I feel like I could maybe enjoy this live with the experimental percussion. I think the setting would matter too, maybe a deserted mine shaft, a ghost town, or a prison. Not my thing.
can't stress how boring this cunt is
3.5
Tom Waits is a very specific vibe. Sometimes, it's just what you need. Other times, it's annoying AF. (It's a great for movies and TV, when used correctly.) The vibe is so specific, in fact, that it becomes hard to distinguish albums and even songs. It's just all sort of that Tom Waits sound. Hard to go with anything other than a 3 here.
I listened to the whole thing to see if I like Tom Waits any more than I did when this came out. I do not. Percussion on this is interesting, melodies (such as they are) are okay, lyrics I cannot make out for the most part, and thus the sum of the parts leaves me wanting.
I had listened to 4 or 5 of his albums but never this one. It didn't add a lot to his cannon for me. If I'm going to listen to him it's probably going to be Rain Dogs or Mule Variations. This one has a lot of the same elements - gravel voice, klink/klank percussion, alternating between pretty and challenging songs but not many that broke through for me.
One time in college a friend played some of Rain Dogs at me and I thought, "what is this unlistenable shit"? But 20 years later I heard it again and loved it. Tom Waits has the folk-blues-rock growly weirdo genre sewn up. This isn't my favorite collection of his songs, but it's solid. Earth Died Screaming may be my favorite -- it's (I think) a great cry of environmental protest.
2/5 - If someone compiled 10 good Tom Waits songs for me, I might enjoy it. Unfortunately, Tom Waits is unable to do this himself. A small portion of the time, you get something that is unlike anything else you've heard before and hits just right. For most of the rest, he brings you back to that Thanksgiving dinner when your drunk uncle is banging pots and pans while growling at your dog.
I liked this more than I thought I would. Stopped down, surreal and kind of despondent. Not easy listening, but melodic at times and does what Tom Waits Does best- pushes music to its edge while sometimes going over it.
My ears! My poor ears!
Not really for me...
I like Tom Waits. But not always.
2.5
A bit nutty, just like Tom himself. Love it
Not my favourite or the most accessible Tom Waits album, that's to be sure. It starts off *rough*. But it does get progressively stronger.
nope
Not my favourite TW, that would be mule variations, but great nonetheless. Such variety. 4 stars. Fave track - dirt in the ground.
I forgot how good this album is...
Can't get past the vocals
not my thing
naprosto divno. i eto, još jedan glazbenik kojeg mi je v. entuzijastično hvalila, a ja nikako da ga na svoju ruku poslušam... (čak sam jednom prilikom i zaboravio ko je on ono). i sad je prekasno. nakon prvog slušanja mislio sam čak dati četvorku jer nije sasvim dosljedan (u smislu da nisu sve pjesme izvrsne), ali sam odmah nakon toga puštao još neke pjesme i shvatio da ne mogu dati ništa što nije pet. i nakon toga sam krenuo slušati opet. jednostavno nisam htio ne slušati. od prve pjesme krene udarati u zlatni živac i ne prestaje. od laganijih do žešćih momenata, od urednijih do raskalašenijih stvari. moram spomenuti pjesme "who are you", "a little rain" i "that feel", koje mi rastavljaju dušu na proste faktore. i neka
Another 'why do I know this album so well?'. Must've had it on tape at some point. Thoroughly enjoyable trip down memory lane.
CONGRATULATIONS this is my new most hated album on this list!!! I feel bad, because my uncle who gave me my first guitar liked Tom Waits, and he was a very talented musician, but even my familial connection cannot save this artist. If there is a second Tom Waits album on this list, i will have to quit the project altogether. I can't subject myself to more of this droning.
This album could have been quite beautiful if he didn't sing like a constipated antelope
Did not like this at all… Loved him in Robots tho
I mean, art is subjective isn't it.
fun ahh album cover i have mixed thoughts. some parts were really good but others im confused about the artistic direction favorite song: such a scream
This was bad. I wish I can give 0 stars.
Me da miedo decir algo malo de Tom Waits porque tiene unos seguidores poco comprensivos con las críticas. Pero lo cierto es que és el tercer disco escuchado de Tom y és el que menos he disfrutado. Es buen baladista de baladas de borracho, pero en el plano oscuro, áspero e intestinal me exaspera. Quisiera que me penetrara (en el sentido espiritual), pero no lo consigue. Y ya lo siento.
Tom Waits can do no wrong.
A playground full of energetic kids skipped less than I did on this album. It was pretty unbearable.
Szinte hallgathatatlan volt
I wanted to hate it but there were small parts I almost liked.
Scared me at the first song
Like bad villain music from a disney film if the voice actor had a sore throat
As with other Tom Waits I've heard, I'm glad I heard it, I'm glad someone is out there doing this kind of weird stuff, and it isn't something I'd listen to regularly.
Didn't like Tom Waits music before, still don't.
Amazing unique vocals
Epic.
Good
Stash it under albums I appreciate, but are super rough to listen. I love "Goin' Out West", but I sometimes feel like Tom Waits didn't want me to have a good time.
More of this guy? Gee I can’t wait, he said sarcastically through the text of his phone. Wishing he had a Dandy Warhols, Blind Melon, Faith No More or The Doors suggestion. Ok, back to the album review. I get the referrals to this list for good old Tom but I feel a greatest hits would be good enough so we don’t have to wade through the trash. Like Dirt on the Ground. Ugh that was rough. Such a Scream sounds like the drums are being played on cookie sheets. I’m not complaining, just observing. It’s not surprising knowing and hearing what I know and have heard about Tom Waits. It’s not surprising to hear things you don’t normally hear, vocals included. This is a typically odd album. It’s not terrible like it should be. Choice cut: Bone Machine
This should be on a list of 1001 albums to avoid in your lifetime. No idea what the appeal is of this kind of music. Just a bunch of grumbling over some bluesy and folk instrumentation. Kudos to the fans who like this stuff
I enjoyed this way more than I expected to. Gives hope to heavy smokers that their singing career isn't dead in the water.
Nah
Giving Geese
Really interesting what the prospect of death does to artists like Bowie and Waits. While this album is inconsistent in its quality, it has a consistently dark theme and I dig it.
The highlight of The Earth Died Screaming (great title, admittedly) is the last few seconds, when he stops "singing". Dirt In The Ground would actually be a great instrumental, or maybe a good song, with a different vocalist. I just can't deal with this. He sounds like he's smoked two packs a day since the Korean War ended. Such A Scream is weirder, but not in a good way. I don't even know how to describe this, and it's track 3 of 16... "Who Are You" is moderately acceptable (M.A.) and I would put The Ocean Doesn't Want Me in the category of good instrumental backing. Curious to hear Goin' Out West since this was a single, and it's M.A. Every time I think he's put together a decent blues tune, despite the generally unlistenable voice, the next track will be spoken word vocals over random background noise. This is a bad dream.
Listen, man. Tom Waits is like black licorice. You either hate it or you're someone like me who has impeccable taste.
I like Tom waits but not this one per se...
Well this album is certainly an experience, wouldn't say it quite struck me, but definitely found the listening experience intriguing. I really enjoyed couple of the songs on the album, but unfortunately felt like most were just filler. The country feel of the track"Black Wings" was somewhat surprising concidering the otherwise experimental tune of the album. In the end that ended up being my favorite track.
Not the best album from Tom but an important artist none the less
this was so painful...
Another surprise album…I haven’t heard Tom Waits since the 1970s. Maybe I’m listening to the wrong stations. Some albums would make good background music, but not this one. This one makes you listen. Well, Tom always has been quirky musically and this album is a good example. Very enjoyable despite the dark themes.
We love a guy whose name is a sentence. Album cover is bad though (scary). Very jangly music and gravelly singing happening here. Some elements of Nine Inch Nails (music), some of Nick Cave & Bruce (vocals), some of the White Stripes (rhythm). Seems like I would like it, but, I don't. Wish this were Tom Jones instead. I wonder if 'A Little Rain' took some inspo from Les Miserables' 'A Little Fall of Rain', because they sure have similarities! Highlight: 'I Don't Wanna Grow Up'
brent waits for the album to be over
My neighbours’ kids were screaming and I really thought it was part of the track for a good 30 seconds
Great
Remember my stepdad playing this and me thiinking "wtf is this crap", weirdly though I kinda like it now
It was kind of shit, but kind of captivating. It was like Khruangbin playing whilst an old drunken, but mysteriously wise, cough syrup addict offered some spoken word poetry. Some portions were quite nice.. but 1001 albums to listen to before you die? I'm not sure. 5/10
Don't care much for this side of Waits discography
206/1001 Tom Waits - Bone Machine Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ After my last album from Tom Waits (Swordfishtrombones) and just about thinking it was ok. This was far harder going to enjoy. I just found a lot of songs that were practically impossible to get into. However, with impregnability of some songs, there were some ballads to ease the listening process.
Just can’t get into something like this, gotta go 1 star
More weirdness from Waits. Sometimes his voice totally ruins good songs, and sometimes his voice totally rescues boring songs. It's a shame you don't get that many times when good songs and good voice match up. At the moment I struggle to think of an artist who I'd like to love so much more than I actually do.
Brorsan älskade Tom Waits. Han hade iaf typ alla skivor. Har hört mycket Tom Waits, second hand-hört. Fastnade aldrig själv. Tycker tex soundet och trummorna på denna skiva låter som en "knarkarkvart" å inte på ett coolt sätt. Men jag diggar verkligen "I dont wanna grow up". Det var också den läten min bror lyssnade mest på på denna skiva. Resten är fan sisådär.
Har sina stunder med exempelvis Who are you this time, A little rain, Going out west, Black wings och I don’t wanna grow up. När Tom Waits är bra så är han ju riktigt bra, men när det är dåligt så är det också riktigt dåligt och framförallt jobbigt att lyssna på. Hyfsat jämnt skägg mellan det bra och det dåliga på denna, så blir en svag trea i betyg.
Strike out
I don't wanna know what level of depressed I would have to be to fully enjoy this, but I hope I never know.
vsy tgl
:/
Très mauvaise première impression. Un coup j'aime bien c'est mélodique et sa voix cassée va bien, puis un coup il prend une voix nasillarde de merde avec une mélodie freaky et c'est vraiment nul. En gros hésite pas à boire une tisane Tom.
4.2
Jag har försökt mig på några Tom Waits-album tidigare men aldrig riktigt känt att det har varit min kopp te. Men nu för första gången uppskattade jag det! Jag vet inte om det beror på att jag gillar detta album mer eller för att det bara tagit lite tid för mig att vänja mig med hans röst och arrangemang. Stark trea eller till och med fyra?
När jag en gång kom in på kontoret och möttes av att min kollega Johan lyssnade på det här albumet bröt jag ut i stort skratt, tyckte det var den gubbigaste skiten jag hört i mitt liv. Kom in med ett mer öppet sinne denna gång, men jag har svårt att ta rösten och bluesigheten seriöst. Harkla dig förfan.
Mörkret, mystiken, rösten! Det här var fan en trevlig överraskning, hade dålig koll på Waits alltså. Gillar också all weird percussion, måste utforska mer!
Stenhårt. Louis Armstrong har horsat satan i 40 år, flyttat till ett träsk i djupaste södern och gjort ett album med konservburkar och plåthinkar. Så stark 4a att den sniffar på 5an. Sån jävla bredd från elaka In the colosseum, till läspande gospel, till vackra in the rain. Fint att få spendera dagen i Tom Waits industri-iga och sinnessjuka era.
Blev lite skärrad i början men återhämtade mig lyckligtvis. Väldigt blandat, kan uppskatta hans röst, men ibland får jag bara upp bilden av ett dansande skelett i en kuslig scen i en barnfilm.
Shit vad bröligt det är! En aning för mycket för mina stackars ömma öron. Men det är rätt ballt. Är jag sugen på mer då? Nää
vilken känsla, mästerligt! lite vibe av timon som sjunger när han är fängslad av scar men helt ärligt förhöjer det min upplevelse. eller är det hyenornas/scars sång i grottan jag tänker på kanske
Så jävla fett. Som att råttkungen själv skulle besjunga allt den ser I världens mörka vrår. Stark fyra
Wonderfully odd and clangy cacophony
• Hadn’t realized how much Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters owed to Waits. While not the original, I like Apple’s album far better . . .
Not my cup of tea but hetty effort, going out west ..I prefer his latter efforts …good listen!
That cover of I don't wanna grow up (swoon)
girl the voice was not it
Kinda curious but still good
this aint it chief
So, the album is good. It's dark and dirty, like everything from Waits "later" career. I respect the decision to have this album be stripped down in its instrumentation, with rhythmical parts that are so in your face loud so they emphasize the dark themes in the lyrics. Though I respect it, it leaves some things to be desired. I guess I was spoiled by Waits' other work, which I find better. All in all, this is still an enjoyable album, with some truly great songs, but an album I probably won't be returning to. 3.5/5
definitely a unique sound and an exploration of many types of sound. it was jarring at first, but once i got into, it was pretty groovy. goin out west and black wings were my highlights. i appreciate this way more than an ultra smooth boring albums. +1 for creativity -1 for being on the side of unlistenable.
I'm fine with not liking this. I don't like Leonard Cohen either. Or, it seems, a bunch of other stuff that experts like. That's cool. There are occasional moments on this that aren't terrible. But it's really not great.
Oof yeah idk I like Waits but man he really must’ve been on something for this album. Kind of haunting the whole thing but a classic waits song or two to salvage
I really couldnt get into this one. I wanted to like it, but the songs are all over the place and Waits' voice can be grating at times. I think he took a big swing but it didnt quit connect for me.
2/5
Waits at his growliest, playing up the scruffy vagabond. The songs are good as always but it makes the execution not the easiest to listen to
what the actual fuck is happening? am I being tortured? is this hell? I'm so confused, what did I do to deserve this? This was put on this list as a prank, right?
I just hate this kind of singing so much. Everything about this is interesting, though. The percussiveness is really different, but also interesting and actually pretty solid to listen to. The songs that are heavy on vocals are painful to get through. I hate this album, because the majority of it is really good, and then any sort of singing ruins anything going on. The piano and steel guitar in "A Little Rain" is so beautiful, really well composed, and expertly mastered. But his voice sucks so much. It's like rubbing a cheese grater on my ears. The one song that does actually kind of work is "Black Wings". It ends up feeling more like spoken poetry with good music behind it, which is a niche that I actually like. I think it really only works because it does feel further from singing than all of the other songs. I just wish I didn't hate his singing so much, because then I think I would really enjoy this. Favorite Song(s): Black Wings
Quite abstract and unique, definitely acquired taste but still good music
Voice aaaaahhhhhh
Smamsmshis
Avant-Garde Lo-Fi Experimental-Rock Blues-Rock! In my opinion, the opening track, "Earth Died Screaming", barely qualifies as music. This seems to be one of those albums that critics rave about to be clever and edgy, when they're really taking the piss. Fortunately, not all of the tracks are as bad as the opening track, but some come close; best track on the album is "Goin' Out West". Tom Waits is not for everyone, especially not for me.
I don't know how to describe this music, way too random for me
ehhhh...
7.5/10 Didn't think I would like this, but apart from being intriguing and strange it was also sometimes surprisingly moving. Don't want to listen to this more than once a year I guess. Highlights: Black Wings Dirt in the Ground Whistle Down the Wind The Earth Died Screaming I Don't Wanna Grow Up
When I first saw this album, I thought it was a grunge or hard rock album. It's definitely a good album, but it was not what I expected. The percussive sound is a very nice touch. It actually does sound like he's banging on a rack of bones. Overall a really good album!
I'm not really sure what I just experienced. It sure is an experimental / alternative album from an artist where I have just heard a few songs before. While interesting its not something for me... at all.
Really not a fan of this guy’s voice and style.
I know this is an album that won't be for everyone, but I adore this record. I love how stripped back and haunted it feels. If you told me that Tom Waits had recorded it in the post apocalypse I'd believe you.
Ókei elska. Tom Waits er svo klikkaður marr.
Það er bara einn Tom Waits.
Hard listen - one or two songs I thought were ok Didn’t hate everything but it definitely wasn’t for me
This album is very different from what I usually listen to— it’s giving Labyrinth 1986, which is a great movie!
I tried my best to get into Tom Waits several years ago. There was always something that stopped me gushing like others did over his music though. Closing Time, Rain Dogs and The Heart Of Saturday Night were exceptions, but for the most part I struggled and moved on. I had Bone Machine back then but never really rated it. Having not heard it for years though, I really enjoyed it. As with all Waits albums there are times when he sounds like a budget Beefheart, sometimes embarrassingly so, but overall this is a good album. It sounds good and is interesting throughout. I think I’ll always struggle with him, but this isn’t shit. He has better - and considerably worse - albums though.
A light three, more because I respect Waits’s artistry than enjoyment of this album, which can be a tough nut to crack. The album starts pretty aggressively and obtusely, and it doesn’t settle until about halfway through, which I think features some lovely songs. But you have to power through some hard to listen to music before getting there.
Like with taking acid, the mindset in which you approach listening to Tom Waits has a significant impact on the outcome…
A delightfully challenging listen, clanking , propulsive drums/percussion, weird noises and raspy mutterings.
It's for someone. Not for me, but for someone.
I have the flu currently, and this is literally the worst album I could think to have gotten at this time. I put it off for a few days, but Bone Machine sat there, lurking over my illness, watching me die, like a circling condor. Even though I still don’t feel well, today I felt like I was strong enough to persevere. My ocd won’t let me skip any album here, even though I already know that I hate Tom Waits. The result is that my throat hurts even more than it did before, due to unavoidable empathic tendencies. I may have written this on my last Tom Waits review, but I immediately judge people when they tell me they’re a Tom Waits fan. I don’t have this judgmental reaction, at this extreme level, with any other artist or band. I think that’s because Tom Waits fans are hardcore. They REALLY want you to know how awesome Tom Waits is. They also tend to be kind of creepy, too weird for their own good types, like my upstairs neighbor (who has the Tom Waits discography on vinyl) who hasn’t had a shower in years. Please, no more Tom Waits after this. Please, God, have mercy. Please, nobody try to convince me he’s some kind of genius. Please, nobody mention his name to me again.
great pixies song but i don't care too much for this album although dirt in the ground is nice
Excruciating
You will never ever convince me that Tom Waits isn't a decades long practical joke/Bob Dylan satire.
Not a fan. Music had a dystopian ominous tone
Percussion driven music with a personality that bridges past to present. Nostalgic and inspired
Damn this motherfucker Tom Waits really did just make the exact same album over and over but I can't get enough of it either way. Not really his best but still pretty damn cool
Vabbè la voce di tom waits è inascoltabile, veramente non ce la faccio
When it's great, it's great. When it's bad, oh it's bad. I think that's just what you get with Tom Waits. Stuff like "Dirt in the Ground", "Who Are You", and "Goin' Out West" are really cool, while others just kinda meander and Waits' monotone growl and random percussion doesn't work. Still, I enjoy most of it and the production is cool.
OK songwriter. Terrible performer.
One of the best Island Year Waits albums. Dark, weird, and glorious. His songwriting is amazing, like no other. Earth Died Screaming. Is a crazy way to start an album, but a great introduction to what’s coming.
huh?
Oof, I like Tom Waits’ other stuff but this one is rough. I like it the least of the albums on this list therefore a low 3/5
Interesting drums and sounds, not all bad, but gets annoying at times.
a classic
Surprisingly liked that more than I maybe should have
I am in love with everything this man does
Saying this was rough to get through would be an understatement.
Tom should have kept waiting. RIP
Reminded too much of Doctor Jones, but this dude definitely didn't practice no medicine.
Not my favorite Tom Waits album. More than a bit grinding.
Always fun listening to a Waits album. I love the quirkiness and the originality.
Unmistakable TW. The voice and weird percussion at first a bit too much. Then some more palatable, Jesus Gonna Be Here and A Little Rain. And then once tuned in the noisy crazy man ones and the lyrics are really good. 4.0.
Nope, sorry Tom i still don't get it. Maybe the lower pitch ones i can just about listen to, but the higher pitched ones sound like a drunk, out of tune tramp has broken into a studio and commandeered the equipment
Mad percussion and distinct Beefheart vibes..good enough for me!
Not my favourite Tom Waits album, not enough in the way of music on there for my liking. That said, it was definitely interesting but I just don’t see a situation where I’m going back to it and listening to it on a regular basis.
This is proper Tom Waits and if you don't get this you don't get him. I'd listen to this twice instead of the live double which is missable. Not everyone's cup of tea but a very clear piece of cultural breakthrough by a distinctly individual artiste who has penned some top songs.
👎🏻
Kurkkuun käy kun pelkästään kuuntelee. On sellasta vähän alternativee, kolinaa ja kilinää. Tietty sekopää teema pitkin albumia. On tämä matka.
Just not for me. Never liked his music personally.
Its a unique and singular sound - even for Tom Waits. I love the idea of him just finding this basement room in a studio, liking the echo/sound, and saying "yeah lets record my album here". Thematically and sonically really cohesive, and has some great examples of Tom Waits songwriting chops. I love "Dirt in the Ground" and "I don't Want to Grow Up".
I thought I couldn’t hate anyone’s voice more than Bob Dylan’s until I listened to this. Which is a shame because some of these tracks could be pretty cool and fun to listen to if not for Tom Wait’s horrible, grating voice.
I really want to like Tom Waits; his music is different & the lyrics unusually strange which demonstrates his creativity & talent. Having said that it just simply doesn’t work for me.
This is a strong Tom Waits album, though not one that’s among what I’d consider his best.
Great album
Probably my favourite Tom Waits album, above even Raindogs. It is typically eclectic and I love the way he orchestrates such a wide variety of sounds (including whatever a chamberlin is). The tone here is more percussive with lots of banging, clanking noises, which I very much approve of. You can hear the sinews creaking as he groans about mortality. Love it.
Malardo
I haven't listened to a lot of Tom Waits before, but I really liked this album.
The vocals on "Dirt In The Ground" remind me of the Jack Black inward singing thing so that's pretty cool. I like the beat poetry ones but you can miss me with the blues stuff and definitely miss me with the funeral ballads. Bone Machine's sounds are intriguing and unique which is worth something. The spooky production and sparse instrumentation add to the creepiness of many of the tunes.
I think this is the 4th or 5th Tom Waits album I've had on here. I think he has like 20 albums so I fully expect more. He's authentic, original, and maybe insane. All that doesnt make this good or even listenable.
Got better as the album went along but that’s not saying much
Grumbly, growly, awesome
I've heard bits of Tom Waits before (I only knew Goin' Out West on this album) so was familiar with the vibe. I appreciate the stripped down bluesy style as if he's making music with found objects and I liked the lyrics and general weirdness of the darker tracks (the Ocean Doesn't Want Me was my fave) but sitting through a whole album of these gravelly vocals was kinda hard work. Get this man a lozenge and a cocoa
Hilariously, this album titled ""Bone Machine" sounds like what I imagine a drunken skeleton from a cartoon movie singing that he lost his jazz bar. Or maybe a grungy cat come to life. Either way, the lyrics become much more comical with the visuals.
Not my favorite Waits album but still oddly entertaining
Jeg har forsont meg med at jeg liker konseptet Tom Waits bedre enn jeg liker å faktisk høre på Tom Waits, men den skiva her synes jeg ofte funker fordi det er skamløst kult. Goin' Out West kan også ha vært mitt første reelle møte med mannen, etter å ha plukka den opp fra Fight Club. Beintøff låt med unik sound! Det som ikke er så kult, er å høre en innrøyka herrestemme hvese verselinjene med en skjærende, guttural, animalistisk lyd. Heldigvis er det flere av låtene som legger seg på et litt mer behagelig register. På et vis setter dette omsider litt julesteming i heimen når han crooner i vei på A Little Rain og Whistle Down the World, og det kan jeg sette pris på 21. desember!
Jeg føler jeg burde vært mer fan av Tom Waits, men jeg er ikke det. Jeg liker enkeltlåter, men når jeg hører et helt album så blir jeg som regel skuffa. Bone Machine byr på blues, crooning og sirkusmusikk. Alt sunget av en full sjørøver. Den fremste kvaliteten til plata er at det låter annerledes ut. Jeg skjønner at det er kult, men jeg setter heller på en plate med Kaizers enn å høre det her igjen.
I bought this album when it came out. Only thing I ever remembered was how Tom Waits sang "In the Colosseum". So gritty and just not the type of music I was interested in. It was comical. Years later I tried to give the album another chance. Wasn't impressed. Today I listened to it again for the first time in over a decade. I still don't get it. Reminds me of a sober Shane McGowan if Shane was American. The lyrics are probably prophetic and poetic and deal with serious dark topics... but I find it difficult to listen to as a whole album. I know it won best Alternative Album and I'm sure those that like weird stuff love this album. I love Mr. Bungle... but this I find grating. Having said all of that, I discovered the song "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" which I kinda liked. Buried as the 14th track it's not surprising I didn' remember it as I probably never made it that far too often. I also found it interesting Keith Richards co-wrote a song and played on "That Feel" which is the last track. Odd place for a song with a such a high profile guest. I like 1 out of 14 tracks after 30 years of trying.
Should have been shorter, but I like it.
I prefer Tom before he leaned so hard into the gravelly voice.
That was rough. I get that he’s got his own style and shit and I see why some people might get into it but that was kinda grating. Stuck through the entire album and boy was I happy when it was over.
Strange stuff. But for some reason I like it.
It started off okay and I only got more impatient with it as it went on. I was just straight up not having a good time.
Love Tom Waits, this album sounds like Tom Waits
This is awful
Album 979 of 1089 Bone Machine - Tom Waits (1992) Rating : 4 / 5 I’m a big Waits fan, and this one sits right in that fascinating “post-reinvention” era where he had fully thrown out the rulebook and built an entire new musical world out of rust, clatter, gravel, and poetry. It’s dark, rough-edged, a little unhinged in the best possible way - and yet somehow still deeply musical. What I’ve always loved about Waits is that he isn’t just a songwriter, he’s a performer in the truest sense. Every track feels like a little stage production of its own, full of characters, mood, and atmosphere. The songwriting here is sharp as ever, and the oddball arrangements only make the emotional moments land harder. There’s nobody else who can make something this messy sound this intentional. It’s not the easiest album in his catalog, but it’s absolutely one worth holding onto. One of a kind - just like the man himself.
Perhaps this is not the most compelling Tom Waits' album but still a great one: great sound, great lyrics, great cover...
This might surprise some of you, but I really enjoyed this. His voice is nothing to right home about, the musicianship is no better than the majority of bands here. But for me it just had that something, that indefineable quality that made it enjoyable. Its another one of those that will be on my 'if its cheap enough at a festival' list. Not outstanding, but worth a 3 any day.
Abysmal
What the actual fuck? The mad world of Tom Waites. I remember reading the review of this in the NME and steered well clear. Now I've finally listened to this, it's not for me. The best I can say is it lacks refinement.
Liked a few songs. But its my first Tom album and its pretty hard to get used to. Hate all stripped down. Its weird but I like it.
1st listen - "It's amazing how weird and unusual Tom Waits' songs are" 2nd listen - "Oh, underneath the percussion, the songs structures etc are quite standard" 3rd listen - "Oh. No they're not". Brilliant imagery, a unique sound, and some pure little nuggets of songwriting genuis, plus that glorious whisky soaked gravelly tone. Will have to dock a madk for the falsetto in one tune though, that was lainful to listen to.
I don’t see the appeal but I really liked the second to last song.
Very good, borderline great, Tom Waits album. 4.5 stars
the side eye from our 13-yr-old when we started playing this before school is unrivaled and will go down in history as one of the loudest non-verbal comments ever made
This was like listening to a man who smoked 10 packs a day try to speak along to melodies. The music wasn’t terrible, but as a whole I just didn’t enjoy it. I felt like this album couldn’t end soon enough. Had quite a hard time taking this album seriously.
If Led Zeppelin represented the blues twisted and turned inside out, Tom Waits is a more traditional blues artist b/c he's thoroughly more American than any blues-loving Brit could ever hope to be. His renditions are often bizarre, of course, but for every 'All Stripped Down' there's 'Who Are You,' this record's 'Downtown Train.' The thing about Waits - what makes him a touchstone for me - is that he's essentially a historian of American music + religion, the only sensible thing to be if you aim to command this country's folkloric accents: 'And the great day of wrath has come / And here's mud in your big red eye'; 'I wanna know am I the sky or a bird? / 'Cause hell's boiling and heaven is full / We're chained to the world and we all gotta pull.'
Don't like this at all
so shitty, had to skip most o the songs
Some of the absolute worst music I've heard since I had to listen to a previous album from this muppet.
Not my favorite Tom Waits, but it has some breathtaking moments.
I had Tom just 4 days ago, and I didn't like it then either.
Seriously, who listens to this bilge? Please 1001 album generator, send me some music next time.
Good record by Tom.
I just think it's neat. Weird and bluesy, with such a unique and memorable vocal. Individual songs don't stand out so much for me on this album, but the whole vibe is great.
Fucking awesome love the weird noises n shit his voice is incredible lyrics are amazing feels like death the album. Takes a few listens to hit but once it does it’s crazy
again Tom Waits is proper weird. did enjoy it though
Why theres yet another Tom Waits album I don't know. After Rain Dogs don't really need more
Oh Tom Waits, I don’t know what to do with your works. It’s definitely unique and he writes some great songs but the performance just doesn’t work for me. I’m going to be generous and say 2+ stars.
Tom Waits is best when someone else covers his songs. (Go listen to Gov't Mule cover "Goin' Out West")
What a weirdo - not necessarily in a bad way.
Look I love Tom Waits. His music is weird in such a perfect way. It sounds like something a carny would sing after selling their soul to a huckster, which coincidentally sounds like the subject matter of a Tom Waits song. It sounds very abrasive but there is a heart and soul in there. I get why most people wouldn’t get into his music, but I think it’s pretty damn amazing
sounds like a muppet with throat disease
Intresting, some songs were up my listening alley but others just sounded repetitive between them. Enjoyed it but not sure i would save it in my library. 7/10.
Love it. In this life you're either a Tom Waits fan or a Tom Waits hater. I'm the former.